M/S PAXAR INDIA PVT. LTD.,BANGALORE vs. DCIT,

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ITA 1788/BANG/2013Status: DisposedITAT Bangalore20 July 2016AY 2007-084 pages

In favour of the assessee: the assessee's appeal was allowed. From the AI summary of this appeal.

AI SummaryAllowed

What did the Tribunal hold?

The Tribunal held that the objection of the TPO regarding the geographical difference of comparables was not valid. It found that the commission paid to AEs was for services rendered in respect of sales in the USA, and the scope of services was broader than that in uncontrolled comparable cases. Therefore, the commission rate was at arm's length, and no TP adjustment was warranted.

What were the facts?

The assessee paid commission to its Associated Enterprises (AEs) at 10%. The Assessing Officer (AO) made a Transfer Pricing (TP) adjustment of Rs. 42,62,29,444/- on the basis that comparable uncontrolled transactions with unconnected parties showed commission rates around 8%. The assessee argued that the scope of services from AEs was broader and the CUP method was appropriate.

What were the issues?

Whether the Transfer Pricing adjustment made by the AO on account of commission paid to AEs is justified, considering the comparability of international transactions and the scope of services.

Which sections of the Income-tax Act were involved?

Section 92C

AI-generated summary — verify with the full judgment below

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal, BANGALORE BENCH “A”, BANGALORE

Before: SHRI A.K. GARODIA & SMT. ASHA VIJAYRAGHAVAN

For Appellant: Shri Manoneet Dalal, C.A
For Respondent: Dr. P. K. Srihari, Addl. CIT
Hearing: 20/07/2016Pronounced: 20/07/2016

O R D E R PER A. K. GARODIA, AM.

This appeal is filed by the assessee and it is directed against the order of CIT (A) – IV, Bangalore dated 28.10.2013 for A. Y. 2007 – 08.

2.

It is submitted by the learned AR of the assessee that Ground No. 1 and 2 to 2.3 are not pressed and accordingly, these grounds are rejected as not pressed.

3.

He further submitted that Transfer Pricing issue is involved in Grounds 2.4 to 8 but if the assessee succeeds on one aspect of Transfer Pricing issue then other aspects of this issue will be redundant. Regarding this one aspect he submitted that TP adjustment of Rs. 426,22,944/- has been made only in respect of payment of commission of Rs. 642,30,815/- to AEs. He submitted the commission was paid @ 10 by the assessee to AEs and as per the assessee, in the present case, CUP method is Most Appropriate Method because similar commission was paid by the AE of the assessee company in USA to unconnected parties who acted as Selling Agents @ around 8%. He submitted the copy of agreement of the assessee company with AEs and submitted that agreement of AE with un connected parties are available in the paper book and as per the same, the scope of work of the AE is much more than the scope of work as per the agreements between AE and un connected parties and therefore, no T P Adjustment is called for. He further submitted that otherwise also, the difference is within +/- 5% range and therefore, for this reason also, no adjustment is called for. In reply, learned DR of the revenue supported the orders of the authorities below. At this juncture, a query was raised by the bench from learned DR of the revenue as to how CUP method is not MAM in the present case and if that method is adopted then how any adjustment is called for. In reply, he simply supported the orders of the authorities below. He also submitted that on page 24 of his order, a finding is given by the TPO that the uncontrolled comparables cited by the assessee as noted on this page of his order are from USA i.e. from a market different from India and hence, the rate of commission paid in those cases cannot be compared in the present case.

4.

We have considered the rival submissions. Regarding this objection of the TPO that in the case of the uncontrolled comparables cited by the assessee as noted on page 24 of the order of the TPO are from USA i.e. from a market different from India and hence, the rate of commission paid in those cases cannot be compared in the present case, we feel that this objection is not valid because the commission paid by the assessee to AEs is also for services rendered in respect of sales in USA and the scope of services rendered by the AEs is much more than the scope of services being rendered in such cases of the uncontrolled comparables cited by the assessee and hence, the rate of commission paid in those cases at around 8% and 10% in the present case is at arm’s length and no T P adjustment is called for. We hold accordingly and TP issue is decided in favour of the assessee.

5. Ground No. 9 is about interest u/s 234B and 234D and this interest issue is consequential and therefore, no adjudication is called for.

6.

Regarding Ground No. 10 in respect of tax demand computed by the A.O. on this basis that refund of Rs. 69,32,830/- was allowed to the assessee but in fact, no refund voucher was issued to the assessee, it was submitted by the learned AR of the assessee that this issue was raised by the assessee before CIT (A) as per Ground No. 6 but was not decided by CIT (A). Under these facts, we restore this matter to CIT (A) with the direction that he should decide Ground No. 6 raised by the assessee before him.

5.

In the result, the appeal of the assessee is allowed in the terms indicated above.

(Order was pronounced in the open court on the date mentioned on the caption page)

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